Week one: map and diagnose
Gather the syllabus, past papers and your notes. List every topic that can appear and rate your confidence in each from one to three. This map becomes your plan for the next three weeks.
Attempt one past paper without preparation. It will feel uncomfortable, but it shows precisely where to focus your effort.
Week two: rebuild weak topics
Work through your lowest-rated topics first. For each one, review the core concepts, then solve several representative problems. Use step-by-step explanations to understand any method you cannot reproduce on your own.
- Create a one-page summary sheet per topic
- Write down formulas and when to use them
- Note typical mistakes you make and how to avoid them
Week three: mixed practice
Real exams mix topics without warning. Practise with mixed question sets so that you learn to recognise which method a problem requires, not only how to apply it once you know.
Mark your work honestly and keep a list of every error. Patterns in that list show the last gaps to close.
Week four: perform under conditions
Complete at least two full past papers under timed exam conditions, with no notes and no help. Review them carefully afterwards. In the final two days, switch to light review of your summary sheets and prioritise sleep.
On the day
Read the whole paper first and start with a question you are confident about. Allocate time in proportion to marks. If you get stuck, move on and return later. Calm, methodical work earns more marks than rushing.